UCL Research on Support for Live Facial Recognition Technology

Caroline Pidgeon: UCL’s JDI Institute for Global City Policing recently published a detailed survey looking at policing during the COVID-19 pandemic which showed, among other things, that the use of Live Facial Recognition technology was opposed by 55% of those surveyed. In light of this will you reconsider your support for the Met using this technology?

The Mayor: I am not reconsidering my support for the Met to use Live Facial Recognition (LFR) technology.
I referred the use of LFR to the London Policing Ethics Panel. The Ethics Panel published a report which recommended that live facial recognition software could be deployed by police in a lawful and ethical way if five conditions can be met. The Met has agreed to adopt the five conditions for its use of the LFR.
The Ethics Panel report’s research was informed by an examination of Londoners’ views on the police’s use of live facial recognition technology. More than 57 per cent felt police use of facial recognition software was acceptable, but this figure increased dramatically to around 83 per cent when respondents were asked whether they supported using the technology to search for serious offenders.

The Met’s Estate Strategy (1)

Caroline Pidgeon: Appreciating that the pressures of COVID-19 and the uncertainty surrounding the number of additional officers the Met will receive from the Government’s officer uplift, please provide an update on when the Met expects to complete its revised Estate Strategy?

The Mayor: The long-term principles and approaches for the estate will be addressed in the MPS/MOPAC Estate Strategy which will be agreed in February 2021 in line with the approval of the Mayoral budget. The sites for retention and disposal will be subject to annual review.

Long-Term Future of Wimbledon Police Station

Caroline Pidgeon: I understand that Wimbledon Police Station’s future has been secured for at least the next 2-3 years given the Merton/Wandsworth rapid response unit is moving there. However, can you provide any further update on long-term plans for the station?

The Mayor: The long-term principles and approaches for the estate will be addressed in the MPS/MOPAC Estate Strategy which will be agreed in February 2021 in line with the approval of the Mayoral budget. The sites for retention and disposal will be subject to annual review.

Sistah Space (1)

Caroline Pidgeon: Hackney-based Sistah Space is the only specialist domestic violence charity for Afro-Caribbean women in the entire country. The recent agreement reached between Hackney Council and Sistah Space only gives them access to their current premises until 17 January 2020. Given the 300% growth in demand Sistah Space has seen since the start of COVID-19 and the fact that they receive funding for their specialist and vital services through MOPAC, can you please outline how both you and the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime will be supporting them in their search for new premises?

The Mayor: I agree that Sistah Space provides a vital service supporting African and Caribbean women of Hackney and beyond who are experiencing Domestic Abuse. I was pleased that Hackney Council and Sistah Space managed to come to a temporary resolution as to their dispute on accommodation. However, I understand the important need for Sistah Space to secure long term accommodation that can meet their needs
Myself and the Deputy Mayor for Policing And Crime are unable to help directly with locating a property, but MOPAC officers are liaising through Victim Support to see what can be done, as Victim Support subcontract Sistah Space as part of the London Victims and Witness Service. I very much hope that Sistah Space can find an appropriate venue, so that they can continue to provide their important service to the people of Hackney

New Forms of Technology and Domestic Abuse

Caroline Pidgeon: Can you please outline detail on the work MOPAC is doing to look at the role new forms of technology can play in domestic abuse, and how this can be tackled going forward?

The Mayor: The use of technology to perpetuate abuse is recognised by MOPAC and addressed by our commissioned services. We are especially aware of the use of technology to track individuals and potentially compromise the location of safe accommodation spaces. Our commissioned providers ensure online safety is considered alongside physical safety. Online abuse/use of technology can be as equally harmful as any other form of domestic abuse.
Met has received presentations from sector experts on how technology can be used but more can be done. The DA Matters training for first responders and champions includes awareness of ‘tech’ abuse. The Met are keen to explore this and given this is an ever-expanding platform for perpetration, MOPAC will work with the Met to determine how all forms of online abuse can be addressed.
We have urged the Government to bring forward Online Harms legislation to ensure internet companies do more to safeguard people.

Sistah Space (2)

Caroline Pidgeon: Sistah Space submitted a petition to you several weeks ago and are yet to receive a reply. Can you please outline when you will be replying to their petition?

The Mayor: On 23 October 2020 my Deputy Mayor for Policing And Crime, Sophie Linden, replied to Sistah Space about their petition on my behalf.

Locking parks at night

Andrew Dismore: Barnet Council have taken the decision not to lock some parks at night due to COVID, which have already led to several instances of ASB in the night. Do you agree that in order to keep ASB down, these parks should be locked, and will you ask Barnet’s police commander to write to Barnet Council to ask them to lock the parks?

The Mayor: The NW BCU and all three local authorities are working closely to ensure public safety.
The decision to lock a park at night is taken by the local authority and the decision is informed by views from other partners. There is no simple solution to reducing ASB in parks at night.
Barnet LA and NW BCU regularly share information about crime and ASB to deliver an informed patrolling strategy to maintain public safety

Grenfell

Andrew Dismore: Please give an update on the police investigation into the Grenfell fire.

The Mayor: The MPS continues its criminal investigation into the tragedy at Grenfell Tower on 14 June 2017, specialist family liaison officers continue to support those most affected. The investigation is one of the largest investigations undertaken by the MPS and is being conducted in parallel to the public inquiry.
The MPS and the public inquiry have a memorandum of understanding that enables the sharing of evidence and the public inquiry’s Phase 2 hearings are monitored on a daily basis by the MPS.
The MPS has previously informed the bereaved families and the survivors that both the police and the CPS agree that the criminal investigation must take into account any findings or reports produced by the Grenfell Tower public inquiry, including the Inquiry’s final reports for both Phase 1 and Phase 2.
The publication of any final public inquiry report will follow its Phase 2 hearings. Once the report has been considered, if the police investigation concludes there is sufficient evidence to consider criminal charges in relation to the fire, a file will be submitted to the CPS for a charging decision.
The MPS assessment is that any charging file submission to CPS is unlikely to be sooner than the middle of 2022. This timeline will be subject to review as the Phase 2 hearings progress. The police investigation has been in regular engagement with the CPS since the beginning of the investigation and continue to do so.